Who would have thought when I started blogging at the end of March - the world would still be in turmoil 150 days later!
Life goes on and humans are very resilient but we have all had to struggle in one way or another.
Business here at carte-du-vin has continued but in a completly different format to usual.
Before Covid over half the business sales were generated by our wine and food pairing evenings. Of course we've been unable to host these and at the moment we are in the process of re-designing them so there will be a new way to enjoy the social evenings with just 8 - 10 people - the format will be more of a 'Private Party' where you will enjoy a 5 course meal with wine to complement each course.
Watch this space!
My lockdown job was to write out the recipes people have enjoyed at our tastings - they are now all on the web-site on the Recipe tab. I will add further recipes - so please try them out and leave a comment!
Our business model had to change, a big 'THANK YOU' to all our loyal customers who have ordered wines on-line.
The South African wine industry has suffered badly - as once Lockdown hit, their Government stopped the sale of all alcohol, and for a considerable amount of time there was no movement of wine allowed at all!
The knock on effect for us was that our annual stock order, placed in March, didn't arrive in the UK until the end of July. At one time we had just 36 bottles left on the shelves!
I have had several updates from our producers. Read on to see how they have been coping.
"The ban on liquor has been lifted since last night, so at least we can start trading, with restrictions.
All our 2019 Wines are in the bottle and ready for release now as well with a new Colombard 2019 from a vineyard planted in 1987.
As a vintage we are again extremely happy with the quality of the wines although our production levels on specifically Chardonnay, Cab Sauv and Shiraz are down quite a bit.
Thank you for the support in the UK the past couple months and we hope that it will continue!"
"Luckily we had a good stock of wine in the UK.
Trade has been very eratic we sold well for 4 months and then late July it just died
I think I have done 10 sales in total since mid July"
"Alcohol ban has been lifted and we are able to sell alcohol again, both on and off consumption. So really happy about that!"
News from French Vineyards
"We are just about to start harvest later this week. It's a little earlier this year because flowering in spring was early. There have been losses in the Grenache blocks and Muscat blocks due to mildiou but the Syrah is looking great and the Mourvedre is too."
Positive thinking here - they have launched a brand new Rosé of Grenache and Cinsault, with typical mediterranean charateristics and innovative packaging. CDV have been sent samples and an order will be placed - the wine should be on the shelves sometime during September.
2020 harvest has just starting and all going well
"We have re started with the tourism in our winery, along with all the current restrictions and health care systems.
The markets are being re activated and the consumption in Spain has been good during the summer in spite of the lack of foreign tourism.
Now we are going to start exporting to new countries and at the same time giving all our support and courage to our historical clients to re actívate the sales.
The harvest is coming in very good quality and volume."
Some silver linings to be thankful for...
We see the benefits of buying better
We’ve learnt to love local
We’re appreciating the birds & bees
We have realised what a core worker is
Lockdown, social distancing, and self-isolation, have become some of the most frequently used words!
We've got more time to do the things we enjoy
To be kind and appreciate what we have
Thank you for reading the Blog I will update our news regularly and of course any further news I get from the producers .
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